Top 10 Essential Driving Tips For New Drivers On The Road

You might be excited to receive your driver’s license. Driving is a useful skill everyone must know. But remember, driving is a privilege, and you should be a responsible driver before you start your vehicle. All the rules and regulations can make you feel overwhelmed, but if you follow the rules carefully, no doubt you will become a good driver on the road in no time.

Many new drivers are involved in a crash in the first year of driving. Driving, for teenagers, remains an exciting step towards independence, but remember it is a big responsibility, and you should balance freedom with safe behavior. What you do in the driver’s seat will affect not only you but also others on the road. Here are given ten useful tips for new drivers.

1. Try to know more about your car

If you have got a new car, the first thing you must do is to know more about your vehicle. Don’t just start driving the car. Turn it on and look at the buttons. Turn on the switches for the rear fog lights and the front and other lights available there.

You should know how to use all the features before you start driving your vehicle. You must get familiar with the basics of your car and understand how to change the gear. You should never change the lower gear at high speed and let your car come to a stop to move reverse.

2. Correct your seating position according to your height

It is very important to correct the seating position to get comfort and control while driving. This could avoid the probability of having accidents. You should sit straight with your back cupped in the seat fully to prevent back injuries. The seat should be arranged in a position where you can see all around comfortably.

Your knees should not be stretched too much when racing the car. The height of the seat should be in such a way your eyes are half the height of the windshield. Make sure you are sitting upright and don’t bend forward.

3. Obey traffic rules

You must obey the speed limit, and driving too fast will give you less time to react. Too much speed can cause accidents. Make sure you wear your seat belt, and passengers sitting behind you must also wear the seat belt. You must adjust your car’s headrest to the height behind your head to minimize head injury in the case of an accident.

Don’t drive your vehicle like you own the road. Never try to imitate other drivers, and try to stay away from aggressive drivers. A lot of accidents are caused on freeways. You should never try to pull out in someone else lane.

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4. Adjust mirrors

Once you enter the driver’s seat, you must adjust the mirrors. Your mirrors will show what’s behind you, but they will not show you what’s outside your peripheral vision. Wear your seat belt and keep the rules in mind. You should avoid distractions while driving, especially when you are driving in heavy traffic areas. Keep your eyes and attention focused every single second.

The most important thing you must keep in mind is that don’t use a mobile and don’t drink while driving. Youngsters used to eat and turn up the music volume high while driving. But remember, violating the rules can lead to an accident. You should never indulge in deep conversation with your family and friends while driving the vehicle.

5. Don’t drive to someone else blind spot

You should check your blind spot whenever you change lanes or go to turn right. Your blind spot is a large area where bikes and cars can lurk undetected until you turn right and then bang. People who change lanes without looking properly can face trouble, so stay out of such issues.

If you are moving towards the right, slightly behind the other’s car, there is a chance they can see you. So, either drive your vehicle alongside or in front of others until you are sure they can see you in their mirrors. Never drive your car to someone else blind spot.

6. Using turn signals

While passing, turning, and merging, you must be alert. Other drivers may be around you. Many accidents happen to turn the vehicle without using turn signals. Avoid turning the left side across the busy area, which doesn’t show turn signals. You should plan a route that doesn’t need a turn. If you find another vehicle in your lane, wait for the traffic to clear.

You must use turn signals to indicate your intention to change lanes. Make sure you turn the signals on for a few minutes before allowing the car behind you to react before you turn. Then, turn the signal off. Never pass over the solid yellow line and in bad weather conditions. Make sure you have passed the car with enough space before turning to another lane.

7. Driving tips for winter

Via: https://www.autocar.co.uk/winter-driving-tips

Driving during bad weather can be dangerous, but it may not be possible for some people to avoid driving their car during the winter season. Keep your windshield wipers on and headlights on in freezing rain, fog or snow. It provides you visibility and helps other drivers to see you. If it is raining too badly, you must find a safe place to pull over until the rain stops. Never use cruise control in wet condition.

During winter, when driving on snow, use light pressure on the accelerator. If your wheel starts spinning, then accelerate it until traction returns. If you have to move your car out of snow, make sure the exhaust tailpipe is clear. Before you start driving in winter, check your brakes to see how much time it will take to stop the vehicle.

Make sure you keep an ice scraper along with a brush to remove snow. Ensure that the windshield washer works properly during winter. During snowfall, bridges and flyovers can freeze before the roads do. So if you are unsure you cannot drive in bad weather, it is best to cancel the trip. If you get stuck in the snow, place the floor mats under the edge of the tire to give them traction. Drivers must have a set of jumper cables in their car, and you should know the proper way of using jumper cables.

8. Keep a distance from another vehicle

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Today, most cars have powerful braking systems, but still, one should maintain a distance from other vehicles moving in front of you. You can be courteous to follow the rules on the road, but others may not be.

The best way to drive safely is to become a defensive driver rather than being aggressive. Horns are used to alert drivers around you. Remember, you should never overuse the horns. This can irritate other drivers by causing unnecessary trouble on the road.

9. Driving around the school campus

It is very important to be mindful when you are driving a car around the school campus. You must stop your vehicle when it comes with flashlights on. The flashing light means children are getting on or off the bus. Never park your vehicle in the fire lane around the school area because you would be blocking the area where parking is allotted for fire engines.

You should drive your car slowly when you reach school and hospital areas. Watch kids getting off the bus when you take the reverse. Park your vehicle straight in the school parking area. Avoid leaving food items, phones, and sports equipment inside your car, which can be seen easily.

10. Try your best to avoid accidents

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New drivers have the risk of meeting accidents when they are driving on a busy road. Accidents can be caused by many reasons, such as talking on the phone, not paying attention, fatigue, and speeding. Youngsters admit they use a cell phone while driving. The best possible way is to keep your phone away where you can’t get it while you are driving. This can prevent you from causing accidents. If you are drunk, you may call your parents or relatives to drive you back home.

Never drive with a person who is taking drugs. Don’t allow friends to change the music from the back seat. This can lead you to lose focus and take your eyes off the road while driving. So it is recommended to limit passengers. Teenagers are used to driving late at night, and if you are feeling sleepy, you may park the vehicle in a safe place and take a nap for at least 45 minutes.

Summing up…

If you are a new driver, you must obey even small rules. Keep all the tips in mind when you are in the driving seat and heading forward. Accidents can happen to every driver. Don’t get frightened or become emotional. Call the police immediately and then call your parents. Don’t try to move the car until photos have been taken. Remember, accidents can be avoided if you follow the simple tips. Never drive a vehicle if your mind is not fully alert.